The philosopher Pascal is best known for his contributions to mathematics, philosophy, and physics. He was born in 1623 in Clermont-Ferrand, France and is most famous for his work on the theory of probability and the invention of the mechanical calculator. He also wrote extensively on the topics of religion and morality. His most famous work, Pensees, is a collection of philosophical musings on the nature of existence. He died in 1662 at the age of 39. His name, Blaise, is derived from the Latin word for 'lisp' and is a reference to his speech impediment.